6 out of 10 young Canadians admit to texting while walking

Time change makes November a risky month for pedestrians as latest Desjardins survey reveals insights into road user safety

AURORA, ON, Nov. 1, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - Most Canadians will be enjoying an extra hour of sleep this weekend as clocks 'fall back' to daylight standard time. However, the extra morning light means dusk comes sooner making the afternoon drive riskier for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.

Time-changes are known as a dangerous period for pedestrian and cycling injuries and fatalities. In autumn, it becomes riskier for pedestrians and cyclists to travel between 4:30 and 7 p.m. as they and drivers adjust to lower light visibility. A Carnegie Mellon University study found pedestrians were three times more likely to be killed in traffic collisions after the fall switch.

Desjardins Insurance promotes education and awareness to help keep road users of all ages safe, including the most vulnerable: pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists. According to the latest national survey from Desjardins Insurance, almost two thirds of Canadians say that pedestrians, cyclists and motorists all have a roll to play to ensure safety on our roads.

Distracted Walking

3 out of 10 respondents admitted to texting while walking near a public road, which is cause for concern, but for Canadians aged between 16 and 24 that number jumps to 6 out of 10 (61%). For jaywalking, 47% of 16-24-year-olds reported doing so compared to the average of all age groups at 38%, and when it comes to wearing headphones and listening to music near a public street, 57% of 16-24-year-olds admitted to doing so compared to the average of 26%.

Responsibility

When asked 'Who is responsible for pedestrian and cyclist safety on the road?', a majority (64%) believe it is the responsibility of all parties (cyclists, pedestrians and drivers) to ensure they are obeying traffic laws, being courteous to others and not walking or driving while distracted.

Respondents also stated that municipal governments have a responsibility in ensuring road safety (56%) with 72% indicating that city planning, and updated infrastructure play an essential role in keeping pedestrians and cyclists safer.

Vision Zero

Since 2008, Desjardins has partnered with Parachute (www.parachutecanada.org) to bring more awareness to transport-related incidents, one of the leading causes of injury and death in Canada. Each year 2000 Canadians are killed and 165,000 are injured using our roads. Parachute is committed to reducing these incidents to zero by adopting the strategies of Vision Zero. (www.parachutevisionzero.ca).

Additional Resources

Desjardins Insurance sponsored the following fact sheet compiled by the Traffic Injury Research Foundation (www.tirf.ca) which examines the degree of fatalities among young vulnerable road users in Canada from 2000 to 2010 - http://tirf.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Young-Vulnerable-Road-Users-5.pdf

Infographic

About the Survey

The online survey, conducted in March 2018, polled 3,020 respondents of driving age across Canada.

Desjardins Group
Desjardins Group is the leading cooperative financial group in Canada and the fifth largest cooperative financial group in the world, with assets of $290.1 billion. It has been rated one of the Best Employers in Canada by Aon Hewitt. To meet the diverse needs of its members and clients, Desjardins offers a full range of products and services to individuals and businesses through its extensive distribution network, online platforms and subsidiaries across Canada. Counted among the world's strongest banks according to The Banker magazine, Desjardins has one of the highest capital ratios and credit ratings in the industry.

Parachute
Parachute is Canada's national charity dedicated to reducing the devastating impact of preventable injuries. Injury is the No. 1 killer of Canadians ages 1 to 44, where one child (0-19 years) dies every nine hours. The financial toll is staggering, with injury costing the Canadian economy $27 billion a year. Through education and advocacy, Parachute works to save lives and create a Canada free of serious injuries. For more information, visit us at parachutecanada.org and follow us on Twitter Facebook Instagram and LinkedIn.

SOURCE Desjardins Group

John Bordignon, Desjardins Group, 1-877-306-5252, ext. 6325567, Mobile: [phone], [email protected]